Annie McIntyre, 4, and her father, Kevin, are parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, where the Disabilities Awareness Mass was celebrated. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Catholics with intellectual and developmental disabilities served
as readers, gift bearers and altar servers during Sunday evening Mass at the
Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Oct. 8. Their acts of service at the
Disabilities Awareness Mass, much like the Mass itself, were an opportunity to
see those with disabilities as brothers and sisters in Christ.

“(We assure) all those with disabilities of our prayers,” said
Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, celebrant and homilist, “and of our
thanks for the faithful witness they offer each day, showing us to celebrate
life in the midst of crosses and blessings and how to walk through life,
uniting ourselves through Christ, journeying through life with patience and
courage and perseverance.

“I know we join together (with people with disabilities) to thank
your families and friends and all who try to assist and support you every day
because of their great love for you,” he said. Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde
and Father Christopher P. Christensen, parochial vicar of the cathedral,
concelebrated the Mass.

Jenny McIntyre and her family, cathedral parishioners, attended
the Mass to celebrate those with disabilities. “It's important that we love all
people as God's children,” she said.

Many students and alumni of the Options program at Paul VI
Catholic High School in Fairfax attended the Mass. Members of the school’s
women’s choir, including a current Options student, sang for the Mass. Paul VI
was one of the first Catholic schools in the country to have an inclusive
education program. Similar programs have since opened at four other diocesan schools.

Trish Adams, director of Options, is new to the program. Her own
children were peer mentors to Options students, “so I (already) had fondness
within my own house for it,” she said. “I thought, ‘That’s what I want to be
involved in.’ ”

Greg Hoppe, an altar server, graduated from the Paul VI Options
program in 2009. He now works at a cafeteria on the George Mason University
campus in Fairfax. “I wipe tables and sweep,” he said.

“Sweeping’s his favorite,” added his mom, Karen. He also stays
busy performing in plays, including 11 musicals at Paul VI from his time there
as a student and as a guest alumni performer.

For the Hoppes and others in the community, the Mass is a
wonderful chance to see friends, said Karen. “It’s putting the relationships in
the context of the Mass,” she said.